Sounds pretty close. In 2023, Costco World Wide Sales were $237B. Usual profit rate for that sort of business is about 1.5% or $4.5B. In 2023, Costco collected approximately $4.3B in Membership Fees.

I put a credit card into the app to make checkout easier. You will need some form of payment but it is possible you could enter the information each time.

Car wash is not free but if I remember correctly it is reasonably priced. I haven't tried it yet.

Thinking about fuel, the app makes it pretty easy at the pump. Open the app, click "more," click fuel, scan the QR code on the pump, then select a payment type. It sounds like a lot but it's easier than inserting two cards and waiting for authorization.

No "Evidence" Necessary!
 

Costco? Ditto!
 

No One Offers This!
 

When using their credit/membership card, you will get:

1% back just by using their credit card on anything, anywhere.
3% back on restaurants
4% back on gas
A big fat check from the above -- every January.

Double (2-year) warranty on appliances & technology

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The Costco Citi Card stopped the double warranty a few years back. Though the Costco return policy is still the best.

“Top Tier” Gasoline at Costco
 

Costco has “Top Tier” gasoline. It’s high quality detergent gas. BJ’s and Sam’s do not. It’s a significant difference. Google it.

According to Costco.com, their mobile app page, and anything else I can find, Costco does NOT have a scan and go capability.

I'm glad to hear this. Having the Clermont Costco closer to those in the south will spare us more traffic in the north.

The Top Tier site lists none of the warehouse stores.

Sam's gas has worked just fine for me for over ten years and over 100K miles (probably much over).

The Top Tier designation indicates a brand has paid for the right to use the label for marketing and the gas sold by that brand meets a standard for a level of detergent. Foregoing the label simply means the brand has not paid for the marketing, but it does not mean the gas has less detergent. There have been other threads arguing over whether "Top Tier" is worth the extra cost - I choose to not go out of my way to pay for the additional marketing.

I thought you said you never go to "brick and mortar" stores anymore...

From the Google machine:

"Costco makes most of its money from membership fees, which account for about 73% of its profit..."

Fair enough.

Seems like the original statement was not quite accurate:

ALL of their annual profit comes from the sales of memberships.

We grew up in a middle class society where all people were relatively the same and had good opportunities for success. Today the middle class barely exists and there is MORE social friction.......leading to some people not wanting to shop at Walmart among the "lesser" people.

Not happening. Any avid Costco shopper know..each one is a little different and carries items that others dont. Plus if I’m am going to universal or Disney going to Clermont.

If I am traveling to the dentist, mulberry clinic, sprouts, tap house. Going to TV Costco. Rarely does anyone only travel 10 minutes from their house. If one drive south of 44 to Sam’s, pinch a penny, Fresh Market, picking up kids from school, HL, or WaWa’s. Costco is in the back door. Big difference from Clermont is less customers during the week. TV Costco will be busy 7 days a week, think 100,000 retired can shop anytime

We have been members of all 3. BJs doesn't save that much. Costco is a bit more upscale than Sams.

We will switch from Sams to Costco when it opens.

Reasons why I refused to shop at Walmart up north:
1. It was further from home than the three grocery stores/supermarkets in my area.
2. They were known to treat their employees like crap and I didn't want to condone that with my grocery dollars.

They've changed employment policies - still not stellar but more in line with other supermarket part-time gigs now. And they're only 5 minutes from home down here in The Villages. I don't care if poor people shop there. I don't ask them how much they earn. And a lot of people "with means" HAVE what they have, because they've lived frugally and saved money, clipped coupons, looked for deals, rather than just spend more on less at other places.

We're on a budget. I don't need affirmation of my value as a human being by paying extra for amazing customer service at a grocery store. Having ******* offer to walk me to my golf cart isn't worth paying extra. What's worth paying extra, is Publix ice cream. If I didn't shop for everything else at Walmart, I wouldn't be able to afford Publix ice cream.

Us poor people have our priorities. They're different from privileged folk.

That is not True
 

Sam’s and BJ’s are more like Walmarts of Big Box Clubs. Costco is more like a Target Big Box Club.

(The way I see it, anyway.)

COSTCO Breaks Ground!
 

On January 1 Construction crews began work on the new COSTCO at Buffalo Plaza area.

Machinery and excavators are digging on the ground. Areas for the giant gas station and small out lot shopping area are staked off.

See below for additional helpful info....

As of January 22, 2023, the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi no longer offers extended warranty protection on new purchases. This change has significantly impacted the card's benefits package. However, Costco itself still provides extended warranty coverage on certain products:

Costco's Extended Warranty:

Costco extends the manufacturer's warranty on the following items for up to 2 years from the date of purchase or delivery:

Televisions
Projectors
Computers (excluding touchscreen tablets)
Major appliances (refrigerators, freezers, ranges, etc.)

This extended warranty is provided at no additional cost to Costco members.

Costco Concierge Services:

In addition to the extended warranty, Costco offers free technical support through their Concierge Services for the lifetime of your product.

Alternative Protection Options:

For those seeking additional coverage, Costco offers the option to purchase Allstate Protection Plans for eligible products.

It's important to note that while the Costco credit card no longer provides extended warranty coverage, Costco's own warranty extension on certain products remains in effect. Always review the specific terms and conditions for your purchase to understand the full extent of the warranty coverage.

I used the scan & go today. works great and saves waiting in line at the registers.